Why did you retire / ETS?

2016-06-14T21:38:50-04:00

When I met my future wife in 2005 she asked "When are you going to retire?" My response was immediate as if it were a Battle Drill "When it's not fun anymore."
So in November 2014 after a 3.5 hour meeting with 115 PowerPoint slides, I sent her the following text ... "I'm not having fun."
"Come home then." She responded.
I typed up then submitted my memo and 4187 within the hour.

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Jun 14 at 2016 9:45 PM

2016-06-14T21:45:54-04:00

MSG Private RallyPoint Member I had just about reach my RCP which was 26 years, I retired with 25 and 3 days. I had just finished a Afghanistan Tour and my family was not with me when I returned. I was not eligible for E-8, it was time to go, because I was under a year from RCP.

] SFC William Farrell PO1 William "Chip" Nagel LTC Stephen F.] SGT Robert George SMSgt Minister Gerald A. "Doc" Thomas Maj Marty Hogan MSG Andrew White SGT Private RallyPoint Member SFC Dave Beran SGT Philip Roncari SPC Margaret Higgins MSgt Jason McClish SrA Christopher Wright SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth SSG Derrick L. Lewis MBA, C-HRM SP5 Michael Rathbun SGT Michael Thorin SFC Shirley Whitfield SSG Diane R.

Response by CPT Jason Torpy made Jun 14 at 2016 9:47 PM

2016-06-14T21:47:58-04:00

Long story. But I saw a 20 year W3 denied redeployment from Iraq and retirement so he could hang out and do basically nothing but fill an MTOE slot. I don't mean his ACAP request was denied. I mean had been planning for a year, and he was getting on the plane, and his family was waiting in Germany. The kids were enrolled in school. Everything was done and some bean counter just denied the final out signature, right beside the plane. Family had to move back to the US and change schools without him with no notice while he stayed downrange unnecessarily. It wasn't the only marriage I saw ruined for no good reason. Lots of other things too, but that sure didn't help.

Response by Sgt Christopher Wenzel made Jun 14 at 2016 9:52 PM

2016-06-14T21:52:55-04:00

I got out for two reasons:

1. I was the Accounting Chief for the command and came to the conclusion that I could be making double what I was making as a civilian with half the BS.
2. I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism and decided that I didn't want to be the fat SSgt in the Accounting section.

Don't get me wrong, I loved the Corps. It changed my life for the better and gave me the life that I have today. But the Marine Corps that I was born into and the state that it was in when I left was drastically different. Issues were handled in house, there wasn't a lining of paperwork dividing you from your next promotion or extracurricular training. We didn't cry hazing every time the NCO chewed us out or pulled us to the treeline. We just knew how to handle our business.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 14 at 2016 9:53 PM

2016-06-14T21:53:05-04:00

It just came to a point where it wasn't fun anymore. Loved working with Soldiers, loved the training the BS was just getting too bad. I'd been thru the drawdown of e 90's and this one is by far worse. That and 2 shoulder surgeries in 18 months didn't help any.

Heart and mind of a 18 yr old. Body of a almost 50 yr old Infantryman....

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Jun 14 at 2016 11:04 PM

2016-06-14T23:04:33-04:00

MSG Private RallyPoint Member I totally agree, the Army was a 'love'; then it became a chore. The love still abounds, but I only participate via RP.

Response by CPT Catherine R. made Jun 14 at 2016 11:04 PM

2016-06-14T23:04:41-04:00

When it stopped being fun I made the decision to leave the reserves. An IG complaint when I was in command sped the process up by a few months but it was fine as I'd already decided I was done so it just ended command a few months earlier than planned.

Response by CPL Patrick Brewbaker made Jun 14 at 2016 11:53 PM

2016-06-14T23:53:13-04:00

College, wanted to study biology, but did retire out of the Michigan Nation Guards. I never made any rank because I was always in school and working.

Response by TSgt Alex Benningfield made Jun 15 at 2016 12:06 AM

2016-06-15T00:06:31-04:00

I can't say there is one specific reason. In the en I am not getting g out because I hate the military or had toxic leadership. Quite the opposite, had a great time. I was able to get all my education taken care of, learn a lot about leadership and team development. For me the reason is more of I came in for a specific reason and was able to go beyond that. Additionally I know I won't be happy higher ranking and I don't want to be a disservice to my NCOs or airman and then becoming that toxic leader. In the end great tim, but it is the best option and best timing for my family.

Response by MAJ Raúl Rovira made Jun 15 at 2016 1:42 AM

2016-06-15T01:42:34-04:00

I was looking to get out when I was in Alaska. My goals as a family man at age 40 are different than the ones of a crazy 2LT age 23. TERA made the decision easier for me.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2016 2:40 AM

2016-06-15T02:40:50-04:00

ETSing at the end of next year (will have seven years in) for a few reasons.
1 - Fun deficit. Got promoted out of the job I loved doing and into purely administrative work.
2 - Not eligible for another promotion prior to EAOS. Told that I was doing all the right things to be eligible early, but that it wasn't going to happen because I don't have enough time in rank. I don't like being told to sit down and wait my turn.
3 - Could retire after spending the next 13 years enlisted, or I could get out and spend the next 11 years fulfilling a lifelong dream of going to med school. Might be 40 when I graduate, but (God willing) I'm going to turn 40 someday anyway.

Response by SP5 Eric Bruns made Jun 15 at 2016 6:13 AM

2016-06-15T06:13:36-04:00

I left for several reasons. I was stop lossed in Afghanistan for one. I did not necessarily mind that part so much, it kind of comes with the territory. The lure of leaving and having the opportunity to finish my college degree uninterrupted was too strong as the Post 911 had just become a thing. I served from 2004 - 2009. I realized that if my whole heart wasn't in it, then becoming an E-6 shouldn't be for me. I didn't want to be ''that guy'' that never seems motivated. With that said, looking back on service, it was great and gave me a lot.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Jun 15 at 2016 7:15 AM

2016-06-15T07:15:24-04:00

Why? I was in a critically required duty position, serving with professionalism,, technical competence, well regarded by the Flag rank and GO's I worked for. There was a valid need for me to fill the line number and a request from the unit to have me fill it... An HRC NCO that had been in her job the majority of her career, static in the same job.. Claimed "I was part of the problem in not being willing to vacate a position, I was being directed to move to a new location on the east coast...take or leave it"

I left it....

Response by SMSgt Keith Klug made Jun 15 at 2016 7:59 AM

2016-06-15T07:59:28-04:00

I loved the Air Force, I loved being a Cop (LE) and I loved going to work everyday. Like many here, it was no longer fun or fulfilling. But the main reason was the lack of professionalism in my career field and the lack of leadership. (From Sep 2000 to Jul 2007 (retirement), I was only in one cop squadron and being on the outside looking in was eye opening) So many people complained about having to wear the uniform properly to doing the job professionally. I miss it all the time, but I am glad I got out when I did.

Response by CSM Chuck Stafford made Jun 15 at 2016 8:02 AM

2016-06-15T08:02:39-04:00

My "fun-meter" was red lining also brother, and then an approved senior stabilization was ignored. Took me over the top and within the hour, the 4187 was in... I still support the Army ten-miler though -- number 11 coming up this October

Response by SCPO Fred Andy made Jun 15 at 2016 8:07 AM

2016-06-15T08:07:08-04:00

Easy answer. My wife, who had supported me my entire career, told me my that both she and my two teenage kids needed me to be home and not half way around the world. She had always been such a positive source of support, that it was a request that was impossible for me to deny.

Response by CSM David Heidke made Jun 15 at 2016 8:45 AM

2016-06-15T08:45:25-04:00

I lost my wife and vowed that if I found someone else who would put up with me, I would hang up the uniform.

I tried to make it work, because she saw how much I loved it, but having two-four conference calls a month while my kids had dinner was a little much.

I put in my papers and left.

The Reserves wants full time senior leaders and doesn't want to pay them full time. Giving back that Blackberry gave me so much more time for the job that does pay me full time.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2016 8:47 AM

2016-06-15T08:47:43-04:00

I appreciate the honesty in this discussion.

Response by SCPO Jason McLaughlin made Jun 15 at 2016 9:12 AM

2016-06-15T09:12:27-04:00

Family and my body told me it was time to quit.

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Jun 15 at 2016 9:14 AM

2016-06-15T09:14:48-04:00

Five deployments in 10 years along with one IED and 12 surgeries. I was totally burnt out and becoming ineffective. So I figured it was a good time to call it a day.

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made Jun 15 at 2016 9:35 AM

2016-06-15T09:35:53-04:00

I remember looking in the mirror one day when I was putting on my uniform and thinking...this isn't what I want to do anymore. After a deployment, I was sitting in my office and they hit me with another one coming up...hadn't been home more than 3 months and they wanted me to go for another year...that made it easy for me. My body was tired. Time to go and be dad and husband for a while.

Response by CSM Thomas McGarry made Jun 15 at 2016 9:42 AM

2016-06-15T09:42:23-04:00

Retired because I hit age 60! I found that the Army is what you make of it, of course it's better when you are in charge such as an NCO! I found that things are not much different in a civilian job than it the military, at least in the military you have defined chains of command etc. In the interest of full disclosure I spent 3 year active and 33 years Reserves/Guard with two deployments.

Response by SFC James Cassels made Jun 15 at 2016 9:47 AM

2016-06-15T09:47:51-04:00

I left when the current administration won the Presidency!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2016 9:49 AM

2016-06-15T09:49:57-04:00

The first time I ETS'd, it was a case of get out with an Honorable, or get out with something less than that. Now that I am back in, a key indicator that my time is nigh is when my wife asked me when I am going to retire. On top of that, it is becoming not so fun anymore both mentally and physically. I once had hopes and desires to make MSG before retirement. Now, I want to make my SFC....do my time and then punch my ticket.

Response by MSgt James Mullis made Jun 15 at 2016 10:29 AM

2016-06-15T10:29:41-04:00

Sometimes the stars align and you know its the right thing to do. At just over 19 years of service and with another year to go on my enlistment my eyes started to wander. In a year I could retire at 38 years old, which is the peak employment age for middle management. Civilian Safety Manager positions were both plentiful and paid way better than the AF ever could. So, I made the decision to refuse promotion testing and force my retirement.

I was counseled to stay in by a General, a Colonel, several CMSgt's and a GS-15, all who told me I would make Chief "if I just hung in long enough". I figured they were right, however, it would take another one or two years to make SMSgt and another seven after that to make CMSgt. During that time I would need to do another short tour, fill a MAJCOM staff position, and chance multiple deployments in the upcoming wars. Interestingly enough when I talked to a Deputy Undersecretary of Defense I had worked with he counseled me to get out while the getting was good.

My job search took less than two weeks. I was hired six months in advance of my retirement, to a job I wanted to do, in a city I wanted to move to. I received a generous sign on bonus (FYI: the AF never gave my career field enlistment bonuses), way better perks than the AF would ever give an enlisted man and a starting salary that was 50% above my AF pay and allowances combined.

Not once have I regretted retiring when I did. I also don't at all regret having served for 20 years.

Response by CSM Michael Poll made Jun 15 at 2016 11:11 AM

2016-06-15T11:11:36-04:00

When I came back from my 11th deployment and decided it is not fun anymore. Missed too many birthdays, anniversaries and family functions.... Just sat back once I got home and decided to get past my required time in grade, the minute that passed I put in my 4187

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Jun 15 at 2016 11:14 AM

2016-06-15T11:14:36-04:00

I'll go along with the it wasn't fun anymore bunch. That combined with the fact that I had to when I hit the 25 year point. Either way, to this day I still say the military isn't the same as when I came in and that gets back to the it isn't fun anymore thing.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Jun 15 at 2016 11:20 AM

2016-06-15T11:20:41-04:00

Those were the same words my Gunny said. I put in a package to reenlist because I wanted to do at least one more tour. Well due to the draw down there were only so many boat spaces. After 6 months of my package being in limbo, I was finally denied. I was told if I wanted to stay in, I'd have to submit another package. Well I was 2 months from my end of contract and 2 months from the birth of my 2nd daughter. I needed a little more certainty than a maybe, so I took my papers and walked. I still miss the military, but since I landed a job working with Marines I'm content with where I am in life.

Response by SFC William Jones made Jun 15 at 2016 12:20 PM

2016-06-15T12:20:56-04:00

I left active duty after my first enlistment when the only incentive to stay was a coffee mug and a warm handshake. No bonus, choice of duty station, or school. Needless to say, I was a little disappointed.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Jun 15 at 2016 3:18 PM

2016-06-15T15:18:35-04:00

Because I didn't want to do what O-6 ANC officers do.........and running sucks and I don't want to do that anymore either..... ;o)

Response by Capt Brandon Charters made Jun 15 at 2016 5:02 PM

2016-06-15T17:02:39-04:00

I wanted to be close to my father and support him as he went through cancer treatments.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2016 5:37 PM

2016-06-15T17:37:33-04:00

Short and sweet. Made a deal with the DEVIL Assignment Branch. Was PSNCO in a PATRIOT Bn won't mention the F'd up Bn had a relieved Bn Commander. Adjutant was a Butter Bar that was a missle jock, not AG by any stretch of his imagination. He told me a year from PCS state side. that he was going to ruin the rest of my career with an NCOER. Least he forget I was AG and knew everyone at PSC in Bad Krueznach, FRG. No worries on a bad NCOER making it to DA. LOL. 8 months prior to PCS I went on emergency leave, ciontacted my Branch made a deal for assignment in Florida near home, with a completed tour and 6months early PCS. Had 2 months left when returned from EL. All the threats I got from LT Major and COL at Bn told me I wasn't going anywhere that they would pull my orders ( funny how they couldn't pull a DA directed curtailment and assignment). What that cost me was Must Retire at 20 years.

Response by CPO Amb. Terry Earthwind Nichols made Jun 15 at 2016 7:42 PM

2016-06-15T19:42:17-04:00

I set myself up rotation wise to retire off the end of a shore tour. Mission accomplished...

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 16 at 2016 12:13 AM

2016-06-16T00:13:21-04:00

The military, in general, and I had reached a maximum level at which I was getting something out of it as a result of what I was contributing. I also had seen enough change in the services, quite a lot of which I was not particularly enamored. That has only proven to not get any better over the last fourteen years, so I very happy with the move I made when I made it.

Response by SMSgt Todd Grebel made Jun 16 at 2016 8:49 AM

2016-06-16T08:49:07-04:00

Got caught on a HYT roll-back.

Response by 1LT William Clardy made Jun 16 at 2016 10:25 AM

2016-06-16T10:25:37-04:00

An excellent demonstration of decisively acting on your established decision criteria (as opposed to dithering in the hope the situation would get better), MSG Private RallyPoint Member.

In my case, after the post-Cold War RIFs, I was content to stay on the "Break Glass In Case of War" inactive reserve roster, but, unbeknownst to me, the Army silently kept putting my name in front of the promotion boards, then informed me that I had been thrice deemed unworthy of captainhood and offered me a choice of honorary retirement or permanent discharge. Honorary retirement meant that I kept my commission and rank, but no other benefits beyond being in the Retired Reserve. Primarily out of pride, I opted for the honorary retirement, although, deep down inside, I also wanted to keep alive that highly unlikely fantasy of being called back into service because the nation was *that* desperate (in which case I would presumably wind up in charge of a company composed of freshly drafted Cub Scouts, defending or seizing a nameless hilltop somewhere violently unpleasant).

Response by SCPO Reid Flade made Jun 16 at 2016 1:05 PM

2016-06-16T13:05:19-04:00

Hit high year tenure with pretty much no chance of making E-9 (hard to do when they're only advancing 3-4 a year). 26 years in, with almost 20 of that in sea billets. Would have stayed in without making Master Chief, wasn't my choice though. Year, or so later, they stopped high year tenure. Knew it was going to go like that. Later they started it again.

Response by SGT David T. made Jun 16 at 2016 3:08 PM

2016-06-16T15:08:55-04:00

I stopped trusting my chain of command. Also, seeing how Iraq was more dangerous during my second tour than the first in the same place, I felt I was just wasting my time. Another reason was the officers asserted direct control over my troops as opposed to letting me do my job but still wanted to blame me when something went wrong. They even dictated what I was supposed to teach during Sergeant's time training instead of letting me decide what my troops needed classes on to do their jobs.

Response by PO1 Chris Whalen made Jun 16 at 2016 3:19 PM

2016-06-16T15:19:37-04:00

I retired because of the Navy HYT policy. I did not want to retire!!! As a E-6 MACHINERY REPAIRMAN, advancement to E-7 was nearly impossible. (mainly due to decommissioning of; all but 2 repair ships)
And at 20 years, all E-6 must go!

Response by SPC John Lebiecki made Jun 16 at 2016 6:13 PM

2016-06-16T18:13:18-04:00

Honestly, I lost motivation. The Army didnt "screw me" or anything of that nature. I woke up one morning, reflected on my time and concluded that I just had no desire/motivation to advance.

I left the Army in 2012, still have friends who are still in and doing well. I'm doing well too. Sometimes those career paths arent for everyone.

Response by CPO Mark McCoy made Jun 16 at 2016 7:52 PM

2016-06-16T19:52:11-04:00

Easy, I met my goals. I advanced to E-7, earned a Bachelors and was on shore duty. I also wanted to join a company and spend some time in their pension plan. I was very fortunate to get hired by a company that still had a pension plan and I have a good paying job that I love. Goals met!

Response by SSG Andres Guarnizo made Jun 16 at 2016 11:16 PM

2016-06-16T23:16:19-04:00

After giving 8 solid years of nonstop dedication and having fun, I broke my number 1 rule and began a relationship with my now wife before my 2nd deployment to Iraq. After coming back from Iraq I reassessed my situation and was stuck in the damn S-3 going for 2 years at the time, away from training and leading soldiers which I loved, and closer to all the political BS. The fun was gone and COC didn't want to let me go back to the line. Like any other civilian job, just didn't fit the needs anymore and after 10.5 years of service was still young enough to have time to transition into civilian life and figure things out. Still working on that one.

Response by PO1 Alan Gray made Jun 18 at 2016 9:44 AM

2016-06-18T09:44:43-04:00

At 19 years had the opportunity to take advantage of the last Clinton era of drawdowns. Sixteen years of sea duty, never missed a deployment. And in the age before medium range nuclear weapons were removed from vessels this meant we were always trying to qualify for this and that. Serving aboard my last command DDG-63 USS Stethem it was apparent my rating was going nowhere. Electrician's Mate on steam ships were a thing of the past. My son had a seizure disorder and his Dr a Colonel in Air Force wrote a letter accompanying my request for early retirement. Came back from NAVPERS but CO sat on it for 2 weeks but finally approved just before Christmas 1998. Best thing ever happenned to me. Got in on the oilfield upswing with the Deepwater Pathfinder.

Response by SPC Tony Bucaro made Jun 18 at 2016 1:39 PM

2016-06-18T13:39:40-04:00

I had to ETS. I was in during the draw down and I didn't have enough points to make the next rank. I wanted to stay in for the full 20 but it wasn't in the cards for me. I'm still serving as a DoD civilian now though.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 18 at 2016 2:07 PM

2016-06-18T14:07:32-04:00

Haven't Retired yet, but will be putting in shortly with 21 years of service when I retire. I am also a victim of the Not fun anymore syndrome. meeting 80% Physical Fitness just hurts anymore after 3 ankle surgeries, blown eardrums and torn up shoulders that need surgery now too. With the new SMA conditions of Physically fit and deployable (which I still am), anyone with physical profiles from injuries is not getting looked at favorably on senior promotion boards anymore.

Response by LCDR George Master made Jun 18 at 2016 8:15 PM

2016-06-18T20:15:38-04:00

Navy turned way to PC. PC Navy was frustrating and no longer fun. Staying in a frustrating and no fun government social experiment was not worth the pay so after 25 years it was time to get out and start making better pay.

Response by PO2 Seth Carron made Jun 18 at 2016 9:37 PM

2016-06-18T21:37:32-04:00

I volunteered for deployments to the middle East and various other locales with various NMCB's, never got picked for them, because I didn't have RSO, SAMI and CSMI quals, all of which I had been begging for as soon as I made 2nd. They said they didn't see a need for the senior armorer in the battalion to have it, they'd rather bring in someone from another unit that has it, leaving me home. I decided if that's all they'd do with me all I'd do is guard the smoke pit until I eos'd

Response by SPC Roger Giffen made Jun 18 at 2016 9:43 PM

2016-06-18T21:43:08-04:00

5 years 9 months and 2 days and it got boring.

Response by SPC Nick Osborne made Jun 18 at 2016 10:38 PM

2016-06-18T22:38:18-04:00

After six years of being in my unit, I wanted so bad to become an NCO. I worked hard, asked my leadership to prep me for the boards once I hit E-4, but my PSG didn't care and wouldn't submit me for the boards. This was before social media and major internet resources, mind you. I did as much studying as I could, was promotable, but nothing. After being in for four years, we got deployed and most of my platoon leadership transferred out to other units to avoid deployment. After I got back from Iraq, I decided I was done. I didn't want to be a leader in a unit that didn't give a shit about development.

Response by MSgt Aaron Brite made Jun 18 at 2016 10:42 PM

2016-06-18T22:42:59-04:00

I hit a fork in the old career path. 1- mandatory retirement for all Traditional Guard member in Oregon at 20 years regardless of any AD HYT system. 2- Civilian employer transfer across country 5tand no unit, guard or reserve would take someone with a 20 year letter. Either way, I was retiring. Didn't want to then, but the BS factor and loss of fun make it look like the right decision in hindsight.something to be said for having 4 free weekends a month!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 18 at 2016 11:09 PM

2016-06-18T23:09:26-04:00

I think that the average man or woman is not built to take crap, eat it and stay focused on the mission without taking crap personal. The true Soldier, Marine, Airmen and Sailor have the motivation and integrity also dedication to realize the bigger picture and drive on. Basically, we are special and cut from a different clothe.
But I admire any person that try's it out, make it or not, they have my respect

Response by 1SG Carlos E Bonet made Jun 19 at 2016 7:31 AM

2016-06-19T07:31:09-04:00

I got out the first time when while in ft bliss I applied for DS school, I was a young NCO, decent apft score no ucmj recommend by battery and battalion, to my surprise, I was missing one status that exists in the military but is not openly recognize. And I was told at battery level by a psg that I didn't work for before it happened.

Response by SGT Matthew Agnew made Jun 19 at 2016 12:02 PM

2016-06-19T12:02:14-04:00

Long story short I wasn't a benefit to our Army anymore so i saw myself out

Response by SGT Anthony Stiefel made Jun 19 at 2016 2:14 PM

2016-06-19T14:14:30-04:00

I was forced to medically retire for two reasons. First mental health came into play and I've spent years trying to fix it. The second reason is one of my vertebrae is cracked from top to bottom (Thanks to a ricochet overseas) and the fins are snapped on both sides. They told me that I had to have surgery or get out. I sure as hell annoy letting someone do surgery on my back, especially in the Army! Until they invent a bionic spine I can use I guess. So now here I am, a civilian and feeling a lot better. Not constantly having someone breathe down my neck is nice too, many civilians got it easy.

Response by SFC Kenneth Lusk made Jun 21 at 2016 6:49 AM

2016-06-21T06:49:01-04:00

I joined the National Guard on April 8th, 1972 and retired May 6th, 2006 with 33 years and 10 months. i had to retire due to sickness. I enjoyed it and was gonna stay to age 60 when i could draw but couldn't. I miss it at times but all of my buddies are gone now. it is too technical for me. i enjoyed using wrenches not computers. Thanks SSG Kenneth H. Lusk, Retired.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 21 at 2016 6:51 AM

2016-06-21T06:51:26-04:00

My retirement date is 1 AUG 2016. I found out my son has delayed developement and coming back from the last deployment really take a hit on my health and motivations. I would stayed up all night with my son 2 1/2 years old than go run in the morning. I was struggling physically and mentally. I call it quit to take care of my son and family. Im less stress now unlike the Army always stressful with everything. Served 20 years and 5 months.

Response by SSG John DeLore made Jun 21 at 2016 7:30 AM

2016-06-21T07:30:50-04:00

I was "happy" being a reservist, after doing my AD time. Deployed more than once, and was still having fun with it. BC asked me to come on as a the AGR Ops NCOIC. Did that for 5 years to help clean up some past in equities within he BN. Started losi luster for the job as I watched curtains O's and Senior NCO's take credit for others good works (but it was nothing new right!?!?), so I requested to go on one more deployment. Should've seen the writing in the wall as I was ostracized by the Rear-D from the moment the BC gave her blessing. Fast forward through the year, got screwed out of my promised Team SGT slot, once again thrown into a desk job, totally effed over by own 1SG, Deployed BN and BG CSM's and was not allowed to appear before promotion board via telepresence, and then pushed into "psyche observation" status for the remainder of the deployment because I complained to a "friend" who worked in the BAF IG office.
It was at that point I decided that the Army I loved no longer existed and it was time to hang up the uniform before the life was sucked out of me.

Response by CWO3 Dave Alcantara made Jun 21 at 2016 8:01 AM

2016-06-21T08:01:28-04:00

I had a couple of reasons for (finally) pulling the plug on my Coast Guard career.

The biggest was I had just went through a divorce. I was end of tour and the detailer was mentioning all the wonderful units that needed a person with my skill set. All of them would be far away from my then 8 year old daughter.

Over my 27 year career I had seen many cultural and/or policy shifts occur that I felt were a detriment to the service, and another was being phased in.

So I chose to retire, stay close to my daughter and start a new life.

Do I miss it, yes. Was it time to go, yes.

Response by SFC David Xanten made Jun 21 at 2016 8:11 AM

2016-06-21T08:11:29-04:00

Knew I wasn't going to be promoted past E-7 and Recruiting Duty (8.5 Yrs) was no longer any fun. When I was notified that we would now start recruiting for the Reserves as well as active duty That was the straw.

Response by PO2 Brian Lathe made Jun 21 at 2016 8:43 AM

2016-06-21T08:43:56-04:00

I enlisted as a Nuke, wanting to be at ET, the Navy chose me to be an MM and for some reason, I became depressed over that and it took many years to recover. I felt I hated everything. Couldn't wait to get out. Then I got out and realized being a civilian sucked even more. At least until I got over the depression. There are days I wish I had stayed in longer.

Response by SFC Dennis Yancy made Jun 21 at 2016 9:22 AM

2016-06-21T09:22:37-04:00

I was physically and mentally exhausted. Took me two years to calm down.

Response by CAPT Hiram Patterson made Jun 21 at 2016 10:32 AM

2016-06-21T10:32:27-04:00

As an Reserve O-6 with 32 years I was too senior to get another billet and over 60 I was eligible to retire with pay. So, when I was deployed to Germany in 2011 I submitted my paperwork. Just made sense. Don't miss the traveling or the extracurricular hours I put in.

Response by CPO Bill Canada made Jun 21 at 2016 10:41 AM

2016-06-21T10:41:37-04:00

Not having fun anymore is a great answer. I was stuck behind a desk, bored and fed up with the bureaucracy so I submitted my request retired and found a wonderful new occupation. called spending time with family and friends, not taking long trips and fishing. I was told I would miss the military, I don't. Having said that had the Navy not moved me ashore and left me at sea doing my job I would have done 30 years.

Response by SSgt Robert Dant made Jun 21 at 2016 10:45 AM

2016-06-21T10:45:09-04:00

I loved the Corps an so did my wife. Then we had our first child.

That along with the fact the Corp had no idea what to do with itself - let alone us Jarheads after VN. It become a pure hassle to go in everyday - time to hang it up.

My wife and I often look back and think about it then we come to the same decision - our daughter was better for it and so were we!

Response by MSgt Jeff Greene made Jun 21 at 2016 10:55 AM

2016-06-21T10:55:14-04:00

Hit my high year of tenure. I would have stayed forever if allowed, although based on what I've seen over the past 20 years since I retired, I may have punched out long ago.

Response by 1SG Ray Keefer made Jun 21 at 2016 11:04 AM

2016-06-21T11:04:42-04:00

Decided to retire at 20. Every day you work over 20 your working for half pay, since you can retire and receive 50% of your pay. Plus you get your civil rights back and can enjoy more freedom as a civilian.

Response by SFC David McCollum made Jun 21 at 2016 11:10 AM

2016-06-21T11:10:58-04:00

It was easy for me. I was approaching my 20 year mark when I wad deployed in Afghanistan. We were getting ready to redeploy back home when we were informed that we were back on the list to deploy again 15 month after we returned. I had already been on 4 other deployments before this one and had missed way to much time with my family. My daughter was already suffering from separation anxiety and there was no telling how much another deployment would hurt her condition. Retirement was the best decision that I have made. Have great job now and family is stable. Sometime you just have to know when to quit.

Response by SGT Bruce Miller made Jun 21 at 2016 11:18 AM

2016-06-21T11:18:03-04:00

To save my marriage
Didn't work

Response by SSG Brian MacBain made Jun 21 at 2016 11:30 AM

2016-06-21T11:30:07-04:00

I retired when I hit the 20yr mark. I knew I was not going to get promoted to SFC no matter how many NCOER's with a 1 and 2 and 1 and 1 I get. Had one person (that rated me) did not like me personally and gave me a poor NCOER and the senior rater and person who if I challenge it were in on it. Once I was given it, I quickly requested to change units and was approved. The sad thing is this happen when I was a BNCOC instructor and they knew that I did not played their game of kiss a$$ to each other. The academy work as "teach student the "regs" but the unit would never follow them.

Response by 1stSgt Daryl Allen made Jun 21 at 2016 11:34 AM

2016-06-21T11:34:12-04:00

My decision to retire was twofold. First, my father a retired himself, had me to make him a promise to retire at my 20 year point to enjoy my second career choice, that of being a civilian law enforcement officer. Second was I wanted my sons to have a high school where they could graduate from and not being moved from location to location as I did.

Response by CPL Ignazzio Flores made Jun 21 at 2016 11:57 AM

2016-06-21T11:57:43-04:00

Was not fun anymore

Response by SGT Tony Muro made Jun 21 at 2016 12:20 PM

2016-06-21T12:20:19-04:00

Because it was my End of Term of Service

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 21 at 2016 12:28 PM

2016-06-21T12:28:01-04:00

It got to the point where I struggled to get out of bed in the morning. Even the weekends became a drag, especially Sundays, because I knew I had to go back to work soon. The position I was in was high stress, but I didn't feel like I was really making a difference. I was burned out and I knew that I wasn't the leader my Soldiers deserved. Honestly it was probably a couple of years overdue.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 21 at 2016 1:08 PM

2016-06-21T13:08:07-04:00

Going to drop my retirement paper work this September. No fun anymore due to a lot of reasons biggest was the toll it took on the, mind and the family. Its kind of funny but not my 10 has more PCS moves under her belt than my 1SG. So yea its time to go.. I wanted to retire a little while back but I wasn't quite eligible. So the Army PCS'ed me and I had to do 12 months TOS before I could drop my paperwork. Great move Army I would be 7 months from my final out if someone could of practiced some common sense.

Response by A1C Lisa Casserly made Jun 21 at 2016 3:53 PM

2016-06-21T15:53:32-04:00

I chose to ETS when I was pregnant (which allowed in the 1980s) because of a number of reasons. First, I worked in Personnel. Not because it was an easy job, but because I have ALWAYS done a job that served or helped others. I feel like its my calling to BE the support person. And, it was frustrating to me to have someone come in who really needed help, and have no other option but to tell them that "Air Force needs came first", and that basically no one cared. I hated playing the political power games that went with having rank. I felt that if my job was to help people, that's what I should be doing! I knew that if I stayed in, sooner or later I would have to be just another uncaring jerk... and I couldn't live with that. And, I also knew that raising a child was a huge responsibility, and that he or she should come first... Long story there, but I knew that this was the right choice. I think I did ok at it. Four of my five grew up to put on the uniform. Two Army, two Air Force. One of them - Shealynn Casserly - was wounded in Afghanistan on 25 May 2013, she is playing in the 2016 Warrior Games for wounded soldiers ending today... she's gotten a gold medal in Women's recumbent cycling, and two bronze medals, one in shot put and one in discus. Two of her brothers were chosen to go as her "cheering section". Yes, I'm bragging the kids up. I'm very proud of them.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 21 at 2016 4:01 PM

2016-06-21T16:01:06-04:00

Retired because I had a great ride, spent half my time with the Navy as a Combat Medic and the other half with the Coast Guard. Just wanted something different, but I am fully joyed that I have served and would not change a thing. Moving back to New Mexico after 21 years was exactly what I needed, but like I said it was a Honor to have served.

Response by SSgt Boyd Welch made Jun 21 at 2016 4:55 PM

2016-06-21T16:55:54-04:00

Ahhhh yes...more military people killed through "Death by Power Point" than latrine duty...

Response by PO1 Scott Cottrell made Jun 21 at 2016 5:07 PM

2016-06-21T17:07:36-04:00

It stopped being fun a few years before I retired. But, I stuck it out until 20. Anyone thinking of getting out after 10 to 15 (After 15 years you would be crazy not to do 20) years really need to think things out before getting out. The benefits of retirement are very good, even if the retirement pay is not, the other benefits make up for it.

Response by SSG Marty Hallgren made Jun 21 at 2016 5:15 PM

2016-06-21T17:15:34-04:00

After E6 in 60 months, 9 max EERs, 2 ARCOMs by E6 (51H30) I thought I was doing a pretty good job at staying ahead of the curve. Got hurt playing base soccer. Applied twice for vol reclassification. After the 2nd denial (2 years apart) I got selected for Drill Sergeant School with 3 months left in service. A new baby due in 3 months and on the E7 list I figured it was time...served 6 years 6 months. Didn't want to stay in the Engineers a reenlistment to take the DI tour would have put me as an E7 in 9 years. Do that for another 11? I decided to opt out.

Response by LTC Martin Metz made Jun 21 at 2016 5:55 PM

2016-06-21T17:55:51-04:00

Age discrimination. I turned 60. ;)

Response by CSM Halford Dudley made Jun 21 at 2016 6:24 PM

2016-06-21T18:24:49-04:00

I retired after 24 years for the very same reason - it was not fun any longer. In my case, the Army had changed from the Army I joined and I did not wish to be a part of the changed Army. Interestingly, I start to work as an Army Civilian (not contractor) in 2000 and am still there. I missed being around soldiers. And six deployments as a civilian to Iraq, one to Turkey and one to Katrina, I am having fun again.

Response by MSgt Wayne Morris made Jun 21 at 2016 7:25 PM

2016-06-21T19:25:44-04:00

Like many when it was no longer fun, watching military slots converted to double civil service slots and then deleted so that AFMC could meet their mandated civil work force reduction, but more than anything I couldn't take that ding dong General McPeak and his transformation of my beloved Air Force into a corporation of Metrics and other silliness.

Response by SFC Ricky Bond made Jun 21 at 2016 7:38 PM

2016-06-21T19:38:17-04:00

I got out after the 1st Gulf War. When they offered the Voluntary Separation Incentive program during the massive troop reduction after the war I had a long talk with my wife and with 17 years of service decided to get out as an E-7. When I did a tour as a recruiter in the 80s I was relieved after 2 years of recruiting, not for any wrong doing but because I didn't enlist enough new recruits. I was at 110% enlistments but they didn't all meet the "Mission Box" quotas. As a result although all my NCOERs from my MOS were maxed out I knew I would never make E-8 even though I served as a 1Sgt for almost a year. No regrets for my time in but it was time to go.

Response by SPC Brian Stephens made Jun 21 at 2016 8:37 PM

2016-06-21T20:37:53-04:00

I had runny bowels for most of my enlistment that went undiagnosed as Crohn's Disease until after I got home during terminal leave. Once I learned I had Crohn's, I knew my time was up. There would be no way they would let me reenlist. An Army medic I met on the train a few months ago told me Crohn's is an automatic medical discharge, so I am pretty happy I was able to serve my full three years and got my Honorable Discharge and a little glory on my jacket too.

Had the Army properly diagnosed the problem, I would not have been to Crete two years and fired the live missile twice. Nor would I have spent much time with First Fire in a stellar unit.

Response by SSgt Jerry DeLaney made Jun 21 at 2016 9:35 PM

2016-06-21T21:35:38-04:00

I turned down promotion to retire because the eldest of my 3 son was starting high school and the 2nd son a year later. I didn't want to pull them out of high school after one or two years and move. My high school years were terrible, with rioting and school shut down for several days at a time. I wanted my sons to have a normal 4 year high school experience in one place.

Response by MSG Karl Arrington made Jun 21 at 2016 11:04 PM

2016-06-21T23:04:13-04:00

A couple of reasons. I had finally reached a rank where I wasn't in the dirt with my Soldiers anymore. I had also reached an age that even if I could be with them, my body wouldn't comply with the physical demands I was putting it through.

Response by SSgt Wayne Graff made Jun 21 at 2016 11:19 PM

2016-06-21T23:19:28-04:00

I had spent 10 years in the Air Force and was an E-5 SSgt. I was a crew chief and enjoyed working with my crew, I didn't want to be a desk pusher and I could see the writing on the wall. I was offered early out and with all of the changes that were going on, I decided that for me, getting out was my best option. Even though my commander wanted me to stay in, they couldn't give me any good reason to stay in. Also the fact that I was stationed in the armpit of the world, Loring AFB in northern Maine, I bid goodbye to the Air Force after 10.

Response by PO1 Tharin Young made Jun 21 at 2016 11:24 PM

2016-06-21T23:24:28-04:00

I retired when I reached my HYT. If I had been able to pick up rank I would still be in now.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 21 at 2016 11:32 PM

2016-06-21T23:32:29-04:00

I was SF. Loved being on a team. Once that was over and I didn't bounce as well (Airborne) nor did I heal as fast it was time to go. Fortunately I had 22 years in.

Response by CWO3 Jeff Metcalf made Jun 21 at 2016 11:57 PM

2016-06-21T23:57:40-04:00

Currently awaiting on SECNAV to approve my retirement orders. Submitted my papers back in November 2015 and I'm currently 1 month shy of my transfer date at my current command (overseas). We used to call this type of inefficiency "UNSAT". It may just be my imagination, but over the past 25+ years I believe technology and bureaucracy have hampered military progress to unrecognizable levels. As many of you have said, it's just not fun anymore. Data calls, statistics, and multiple information management systems that are incompatible with one another; uniforms, regulations, and physical fitness standards that are changed monthly, if not weekly. Some days I feel as if the Navy is one big social experiment hell bent on chasing the latest managerial fad. Don't get me wrong, change can be a useful and necessary tool for advancing an organization's goals; however, changing for the sake of change is nothing more than inciting instability. Lastly (and most importantly), my wife, the one person in this world who knows me better than I do, told me she could tell it was time for me to hang it up and come home for good. I replied with a hearty "Aye, Aye Skipper"!

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 22 at 2016 3:05 AM

2016-06-22T03:05:24-04:00

After reading a majority of these posts, the underlying theme seems to be lack of fun. Which I agree with whole heartedly. I've found myself missing the deployed army vs garrison army. The ability to wake up conduct a mission and rtb without all the hassle of 350-1, details or bureaucratic nonsense to make some one's OER look better. Yet, I can't sustain a family and be constantly deployed so ill be retiring in a year.

Response by MSG Chuck Pewsey made Jun 22 at 2016 3:13 AM

2016-06-22T03:13:56-04:00

I was in Saudi Arabia in 1992. My company commander called to tell me retention control points had been changed. "what's that," I asked. "On 1 August you can either retire or ETS." I chose the former.

Response by SGT Scott Moreland made Jun 22 at 2016 6:15 AM

2016-06-22T06:15:38-04:00

Family. One day my kiddo told me "daddy, I want you to be around a long time, don't die on me".

Response by CW3 Doyle Frost made Jun 22 at 2016 8:20 AM

2016-06-22T08:20:00-04:00

Couple of reasons. One, getting a little "long in the tooth" to soldier the way it needs to be done. Two, give some younger, deserving troops an opportunity for advancing into my slot. Of course there was also the fact I had already gone through Vietnam and Desert Storm, and didn't need any more "glory hunting."

Response by SFC Luis Rodriguez made Jun 22 at 2016 11:34 AM

2016-06-22T11:34:17-04:00

That's the same way I felt went it was not fun anymore it was time to go

Response by SFC Michael Peterson made Jun 22 at 2016 12:05 PM

2016-06-22T12:05:54-04:00

I retired after 22 years for a couple of reasons. First, I was getting too old and broken to do the job to my standards. I had an eight year break in service after my first four years. So, I was already 46 years old. I could tell I was slowing down and, I didn't want to be the guy that people had to put themselves in danger to come drag my old ass to cover. I wasn't going to let it get to that point.

Secondly, I joined specifically to be in the Infantry and, that means in the field getting dirty. My next promotion would have put me behind a desk mostly and, I wasn't going to have any of that. I'm not going to mention names but, during my last deployment, my 1SG's huge exciting moment was when he figured out how to use the "mail merge" function in Microsoft Word.

And finally, I was fed up with the political correctness being shoved down our throats. They send us to fight our enemies, or hunt insurgents, but they seemed way too concerned that we might hurt their precious feelings. We, as a country, still haven't figured out that, in that region, "kindness" is "weakness" and, they will not respect you unless they fear you. I had to get out because, there was no way in hell I was going to ever call higher and ask permission to return fire and, I believed things were headed that way. It had just gotten to the point that, if we saw someone on a roof, watching our patrol and talking on a cell phone, we had to get permission to enter that building to question that person. I was tired of having restrictions put on us that made it more dangerous for us. Like General Patton said "It's not our job to die for our country, it's our job to make that other poor dumb bastard die for his."

Response by CPL Deanna Green (Parkinson) made Jun 22 at 2016 12:28 PM

2016-06-22T12:28:11-04:00

I incurred an injury that I just couldn't fully recover from. Even though I passed all of my APFT's I struggled. I was old when I went in, and my unit was afraid that I wouldn't make it through PLDC without further injury. Against my wishes that dreaded medical board came down and before I knew it I was out the door.

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 22 at 2016 1:16 PM

2016-06-22T13:16:49-04:00

Do you regret pulling the trigger so fast? How was your post retirement employment search?

Response by SSgt Michael Cox made Jun 22 at 2016 1:19 PM

2016-06-22T13:19:52-04:00

I separated after 14 years because my commander was a piece of garbage that only cared if you looked good in uniform and not how well you did your job or if you had been wounded or had a permanent medical condition. In my case I have severe arthritis in both knees from year of working on helicopters for AFSOC, Tankers for AMC, and was on a profile, maxed push-ups, maxed sit-ups, taped under the 40 inches but had to do the speed walk and couldn't do it fast enough because of the pain. Was demoted and told I was a piece of crap NCO which all my troops and my supervision knew better.

I would do it all over again though as I loved the Air Force especially my days working in AFSOC getting to meet all the SOF team leaders and all the cool toys I got to see and work on.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 22 at 2016 1:29 PM

2016-06-22T13:29:40-04:00

Because 30 years was enough time on active duty, and it was time to move on to something else.

Response by Capt Seavy Barefoot made Jun 22 at 2016 2:40 PM

2016-06-22T14:40:18-04:00

Who wants to be a line captain flying 35 hours a week , planning for 20 hours a week to do the 35 flight hours, becoming a Captain and now have to sit 7 years in grade to enter the primary promotion cycle with stiff competition who have also waited. Stop delaying promotions, promote on ability and record not time in grade and how many additional duties you volunteer for. Requiring all the military schools in addition to a masters degree to stand out was ridiculous. I spent 90 percent of my time in the aircraft 7 to 8 hour missions 5 days a week dropping the 82nd airborne day in and day out. Also had to deploy 3 to 4 times a year for cargo hauling support all over the world. I started plan B early. Sent my spouse to medical school , opened up a private practice and became a house husband. We are together 38 years now , it has worked great for our family

Response by SSG Richard Stevens made Jun 23 at 2016 7:02 AM

2016-06-23T07:02:25-04:00

When I made my E6 I knew I wanted to get out just not enjoying myself.

Response by LT Carl Bogen made Jun 23 at 2016 11:51 AM

2016-06-23T11:51:57-04:00

I retired after 39 years and 11 months of duty with the Coast Guard reserve. I was "forced" into retirement by my love for pizza, (ya I got fat) now mind you, I was the first MKCM (E-9) to be made in the CGR, took the test for WO, made it to W4, direct commission to LT (03) and was up for selection for LCDR, but got caught up in the weight program, I was 10 # over weight, actually lost the 10# before being put out to pasture. I really felt let down by the command. It was only at that point that it was not fun anymore. When you play the game as diligently and professionally as I did some consideration would be given to my effort to be in compliance with the regulations. but not so. I am pleased to say that my retirement pay was predicated to my W4 rank and not to a LT's. life is good, but I really felt discriminated because of age, (I was 58 and could have stayed in another 2 years) and by lack of not looking "youthful" enough. I left with a little bit of a bitter taste in my mouth. having to leave what I really loved doing, because of a less than acceptable OER which emphasized mooks over competency.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 23 at 2016 12:01 PM

2016-06-23T12:01:32-04:00

I am almost at ETS-18 months. I am getting out for several reasons:
1.) I've deployed twice and am good with that
2.) I've been to Korea unaccompanied for a year
3.) 1 & 2 (above) combined meant that I had been absent from 1/4 of my daughter's life at that point
4.) 5 PCS moves in 8 years
5.) Bought a house
5a.) Wife said she is not moving again
6.) The new generation of Soldiers have no discipline and you can't do anything about it
7.) Current unit goes to the field almost every other month for 1-4 weeks
8.) Getting too old (46) for this sh*t (knees shot, back is going)
9.) Gov't allowing illegals to enlist
10.) Tired of getting up at 0330 every day

I love the Army and being a leader. I will admit that it will be tough for me to leave Active Duty, but I plan on going into the Reserves. I have several civilian career path possibilities, so I'm not worried about finding work. I am just tired of the constant BS that comes with higher rank and being in my current unit.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Jun 23 at 2016 12:32 PM

2016-06-23T12:32:59-04:00

Two reasons:
1. I had a commander I couldn't support and wouldn't let the unit see strife in the leadership. Since I was over 20, it seemed like a good to to stand down.
2. If I'd have stayed in, I would have had to get a profile. I always had my own PERSONAL standards. If I need a profile to stay in, then I needed to step out. With the collapsed disk in my back and left shoulder screwed up I could not longer pass a APFT, so profile, thus against my PERSONAL standard.

And to top it off, I have my own business. Being Army Reserve and having completed three deployments I could see my business couldn't stand another deployment. After my last deployment, it took about three years to get my business back on it's feet. This and the above two major reasons took me to retirement.

Response by MSgt Anne Slabinski made Jun 23 at 2016 7:50 PM

2016-06-23T19:50:50-04:00

I got tired of the BS and I wanted to be home for my daughters. At the time, Transportation had been merged with Supply and (in my opinion) Trans got the short end of the stick. We had more deployments while the Supply side of the house had excess people without jobs. My shop had to cover 24 hr/365 details with 2/3 of my shop deployed. Commander said suck it up basically and would not let us not support anything so we worked 12 hour shifts to cover 24 hour ops/365 days a year while the supply personnel worked Mon-Fri 7 to 430 and couldn't understand why we couldn't get everything done! It was not fun anymore so I retired. Best choice of my life.

Response by SPC Kirk Gilles made Jun 23 at 2016 7:54 PM

2016-06-23T19:54:40-04:00

Broke my tibia on a run at Ft Knox in 8th week. Hid it from drills. Got caught. Treated horribly the rest of Basic. Finished and graduated with still broken leg. Told Ft Riley would fix. Didn't happen. Near two years later was being boarded for E5. Suddenly told to pack my bags. Signed Medical discharge. Went home. Found that I was full of Cancer. Nearly did the real ETS from army of Life. Makes me wonder what they knew and when they knew it. Planned on doing 20 years too.

Response by LTC Donald Lee Hackle made Jun 23 at 2016 8:31 PM

2016-06-23T20:31:31-04:00

To be honest, I felt that the Army was done with me. I spent 23 years in uniform and my "battalion command" was a "training support battalion" which consisted of fewer people than in my first platoon 23 years prior. It was a low density gig in the aviation field, filled with senior people that had all but retired and junior people that were unqualified to do the basic staff work. Any future promotion and assignment would be to meaningless, fodder type jobs and being a full colonel was simply not that important to me. Essentially I woke up one morning and realized that I had given 23 years, and the Army had been good to me as I started from nothing, but that I had reached the far side of the bell curve and had nothing more to offer.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 23 at 2016 10:05 PM

2016-06-23T22:05:35-04:00

I was a New York Army National Guard MSG on active duty in support of contingency operations when I attained over 18 years of total federal service, ie: sanctuary. I submitted my paperwork. It was approved and orders were cut bringing me onto regular active duty for nine months. I completed that time assigned to the West Point PMO. While there I worked for a civilian and prepared the DA Security Guard training for the then upcoming transition from contractor security guard for the installation security to DASG. My civilian boss, a retired Soldier, would tell me he wanted me to stay on active duty. I said that I had no problem with that, but it would take the Secretary of the Army to change my orders. My boss would then say he "knows' some people. lol. I had to retire because of the choice I made. I know I let down some Soldiers in my former NG unit when I didn't return from AD. I miss the Army and all the great soldiers I served with. I occasionally have dreams about be called back to duty! Now I am a rural letter carrier with the USPS. Not as exciting as the Army, but it is a good job.
Of the troops, for the troops.
Ciao!

Response by CW5 John Vassar made Jun 24 at 2016 2:31 AM

2016-06-24T02:31:48-04:00

It wasn't my choice .... One day the Flight Surgeon walked-in and said that it was time for me to retire ... The monthly check is nice, but I really miss the great folks I had the honor of serving with .....

Response by SFC Michael Smart made Jun 25 at 2016 7:30 AM

2016-06-25T07:30:48-04:00

Hello Brothers and Sisters
I told my military wife, (we were married upon entry into the Army) that I don't love the Army I am in today. I had injuries that was preventing me from leading from the front (age), and that I felt back-to-back deployments was destroying the leadership I grew up in for the first ten years of my career. DA decided to make me a DS at age 39, and when coming off the trail, I was fresh meat to the 3ID Division once again. This would be only my fourth deployment. (compared to some who have went 7 to 10) Am I winning, no just stating the facts.
When returning back to the regular Army again, I seen a lot of actions from the young NCO's and Soldiers that confused myself on discipline within the ranks. Officers and leadership NCO's who could not perform their jobs without relying on higher support. Officers acting like NCO's, because NCO's did not no their place. Example: Commander first enters the building before sunrise, no actions, turning of backs and NCO's not correcting young Soldiers on their mistakes. Shame was in my thoughts! Example: Seasoned E5 yelling at an 1ST, and he excepts it; new E7 at an maintenance meeting asking advise from outsource support for direction during a meeting. (lost in the sauce) Enough examples, you get the point.
Todays leaders grew up in deployment status (15 years, 9-11-01) and they don't know garrison obstacles with leading. I strongly feel if the Army doesn't bring back standards that restrict bad behavior, the Army's of today will laugh upon in the near future.

Deep Thoughts From:
Retired SFC Smart, Michael
31-12-2011

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 25 at 2016 11:31 AM

2016-06-25T11:31:33-04:00

Currently getting out on medical discharge due to MST. The advances in the SHARP field are amazing, but the regulation needs to keep up with UCMJ. If you can't prove an assault is sexual in nature, it's just an assault. Saw a NCO who worked at higher levels get a company grade article 15 for 2 assaults. There is still a lot that needs to change and I can't stand by anymore and watch the inconsistencies that surround my history in service.

Response by MGySgt Mike Bullard made Jun 25 at 2016 5:40 PM

2016-06-25T17:40:47-04:00

I retired because I was told to. My monitor called me up with an assignment to deploy at the same time I found out my wife had cancer. When I told him my situation, he told me to take the orders or consult the retirement manual. I dropped papers within the week. I was not avoiding deployments, in a 24 year career, I deployed 14 times OCONUS including to Iraq and Afghanistan. And I have not regretted it for one minute.

Response by SGT James Paige made Jun 26 at 2016 12:33 PM

2016-06-26T12:33:45-04:00

Dealing with constant BS. from command. The one thing that just pushed me to the edge was When a new commander was assigned to the unit. That commander always wanted or had to change everything when they took over the unit. They never asked the who, why or what. They just made arbitrary changes and then they acted amazed when a system that was set to operate in one set mode did not yield to their changes. But, somehow It was my fault and I was was preventing the change. I was not able to do my job because some dumbass officer could not figure out that something did not need changing, cannot be changed and should not be changed just because they have a little bit of education and think they now more than someone who has spent their entire enlistment working in the field they are trying to change and they don't have the first clue as to how the system works

Response by SSG Mark Franzen made Jun 28 at 2016 12:37 AM

2016-06-28T00:37:53-04:00

I WAS FORCED OUT NOT ON MY DOINGS I HAD SPENT 16.5 YRS IN WISH I COULD HAVE FINISHED MY TOUR AND BEABLE TO RETIRE I TRUELY MISS BEING IN THE ARMY IT WAS MY LIFE.

Response by TSgt John Marshall made Jun 28 at 2016 9:57 AM

2016-06-28T09:57:02-04:00

I was nine years-old. My uncle brought me to Arlington. The Tomb Guards! That's what I want to do for the rest of my life! At the fourteen-year mark of my service in the USAF (I know, wrong service for Tomb Guard), It was a big chore to go to work anymore, especially after meeting and marrying my wife, then a USAF Capt - I was a TSgt. The way I was treated after we were married changed a great deal when officers knew I married one of them. My wife contaminated the gene pool with a lowly enlisted guy. I gave up on making rank after we received our punishment and concentration on my job and training others in ceremonial duties which helped me over the next six years. 85-05 saw significant sweeping changes in the USAF. Changes I did not appreciate.

"Do more with less" at first, was a good phrase to get a hold of and we all knuckled down and did it. By the time we heard the same phrase for the 'umteenth' time, with everyone wearing six different hats and all of those hats having been previous full-time duties, I had had enough.

I retired in '05 after 20 when all I ever wanted to do is wear a uniform for the rest of my days on this earth. Which, ironically, I am doing, just not in the way I had first dreamed!

Response by SFC Frank Ambriz made Jul 1 at 2016 9:25 PM

2016-07-01T21:25:00-04:00

I left active duty in 1992. Promotion points were 998, no one was being promoted as 19k.

Response by SPC Michael Mead made Jul 2 at 2016 9:52 PM

2016-07-02T21:52:10-04:00

My Army, the Army of 30 years ago, was 10,000 kinds of fucked up.
There, I've said it. Here's why.
1. A young person's first interaction with an NCO is his recruiter. Shockingly, mine lied. My point being, you don't get a second chance at a first impression. Sets a pretty poor precedent, and one the Army isn't interested in correcting. It stains every NCO thereafter with the name Liar.
2. My NCO's, most, certainly not all, were a mix of incompetence and apathy. Add a thick layer of asshole sauce and you have a Betty Crocker recipe for failure - failure of mission, and failure of responsibility.
3. The first rule of a Soldier is," You ain't in charge." Great, I get that. Learned it well at Ft Knox. Don't need to hear it every damned minute of every damned day. Can we move on now? Maybe do some actual training for a change? Now, those questions were never asked, of course. NCO's that are unapproachable don't get very many questions.
4. I never once got the feeling that I was a part of an Army. While small unit ops are imperitive, there were 4 line companies in my battalion, 3 battalions in my brigade, 3 brigades in my division, etc. All I ever saw was my own company. Where's the team in that? I felt completely disconnected.
5. Ft Irwin was a watershed moment. We trained to fight static battles with insignificant numbers against unknown enemies with zero Intel. Repeatedly.
6. The Army, for me, was not a goal in and of itself, but a means toward a goal. But the Army offered me no incentive to change or delay that plan.
All of this adds up to two factors: failure of leadership, and loss of confidence in leadership. I wasn't willing to go to war with those idiots. So, at the end of one inconsequential enlistment, this peacetime stateside short-timer told the Army it wasn't getting a second chance at screwing me.
Now, I have children who are approaching that age. What do you suppose I might tell them?

Response by PO1 Jack Sigman made Jul 11 at 2016 10:18 AM

2016-07-11T10:18:36-04:00

Term limits. E-6 20 years.

Response by SSgt Christopher Mortell made Jul 13 at 2016 11:28 PM

2016-07-13T23:28:26-04:00

We won the Cold War and The Gulf War. It was over. It seemed like we were done. That and a Major at HQ AMC who had gone ROAD. Felt like I was looking at my future. Didn't want to be that guy. Had 8 years in. Felt like it was time to go.

Response by SFC Kenneth Lusk made Jul 18 at 2016 6:40 AM

2016-07-18T06:40:33-04:00

I retired in 2006 out of the South Carolina Army National Guard as an E-6. I had health problems, so they wanted me to retire and take care of myself. I had 33 years and 10 months service. I want to thank everyone for their service no mater what branch they were in. May God bless us all, Amen.

Response by SFC Dennis Yancy made Jul 29 at 2016 1:47 PM

2016-07-29T13:47:14-04:00

Good for you. There comes a time when you just have to go. When you are doing things that do not work for you. One of reasons I left was the politics and BS.

Response by PO1 Scott Cottrell made Sep 1 at 2016 7:28 PM

2016-09-01T19:28:28-04:00

Was coming up on high year tender, was time to get out anyway, was getting too political for me.

Response by SGT Patrick Hebert made Nov 23 at 2016 10:46 AM

2016-11-23T10:46:17-05:00

I was honorably discharged for bad spinal cord

Response by SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM made Nov 23 at 2016 11:03 AM

2016-11-23T11:03:42-05:00

I retired in 2008 from the army won't accept or kept people or senior leaders with PTSD, I gave my career up because my trigger finger began to shake a lot and I already have 4 deployments and I have a little girl I want to see grow, up, its' already bad with my PTSD and trying to be a family, I still try to think where would I be today with almost 30 years of service in what and where would I be, but I was smart, I am working for the Government now and this morning when I jumped out of my jeep I smiled, because I had tie on and suit jacket on and thought for minute about one my friends who just made 1SG where he is going to be in 5 years from now. Where I'm going to be in 5 years from now.

STEPHENS'

Response by CW5 John Vassar made Dec 2 at 2016 3:41 PM

2016-12-02T15:41:08-05:00

I reluctantly retired when the Flight Surgeon declared me "unfit-for-duty" after nearly 40 years of service ... :-/

Response by PO1 Scott Cottrell made Dec 8 at 2016 3:24 PM

2016-12-08T15:24:50-05:00

High year tender, as an E-6 could only do 20 years when I was active.

Response by Capt Hansel Bumgarner made Dec 14 at 2016 10:18 PM

2016-12-14T22:18:50-05:00

I was retired when peace broke out and they ran out money.

Response by CH (MAJ) Joe P made Jan 23 at 2017 12:34 PM

2017-01-23T12:34:42-05:00

Lots of perspectives here; definitely a good read!

Response by SGT Matthew S. made Jan 25 at 2017 8:29 PM

2017-01-25T20:29:45-05:00

About a year before I was initially supposed to ETS, I had reached a point where I was just burned out. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed training (most days); I enjoyed teaching the younger Soldiers; I got along with most of the Soldiers I worked with; and I had some good NCOs over me that I learned a lot from.

Garrison B.S. is what had me worn down, and I was just ready to go do something different.

We were supposed to deploy & return around the time of my initial ETS date, but the deployment got pushed back and we ended up shipping out a month after I was supposed to ETS. As a result, I was now Stop-Lossed; burned out; and back in Iraq.

As it took place, I did not enjoy the deployment. In hindsight, most of it really wasn't all that bad.

After I ETS'd, I spent a while in the IRR and then a little over a year in a Reserve unit. There I learned quite a bit and had a large number of good Soldiers around me.

The "garrison B.S.", was 100x worse, though, due to the short training time frames. There was some admin stuff that took place and made me realize that I wouldn't enjoy being there for the long term.

Even the 1SG (who was one of the best NCOs I ever head the honor to serve under), when he found out what happened, said that "This is a perfect example of why we can't keep Soldiers in". He was furious, but the particulars in question were already done and passed.

There are days I miss Army life, and I certainly miss working with my fellow Soldiers, but when it comes down to I'm just not cut out to be a career Soldier. My hat is off to those who are, though.

Response by SP5 Robert Ruck made Jan 25 at 2017 8:46 PM

2017-01-25T20:46:29-05:00

I felt there was more for me out in "the world".

Response by CSM Halford Dudley made Jan 26 at 2017 6:07 PM

2017-01-26T18:07:19-05:00

It stopped being fun. I was mad at the Army. And I had been offered what I thought was the perfect job. I was to be the Professional Boy Scout in the area around Ft Hood. The grass was not greener on the other side. I have worked as a deployable Army Civilian for the last 17 years. I figured out I really did not want to do anything but work for the Army - Soldier or Civilian.

Response by CPO Bill Canada made Feb 2 at 2017 12:21 PM

2017-02-02T12:21:10-05:00

In 1990 crushed my left wrist losing all articulation in it. As I could not do my job effectively. Shuffling paper from one side of a desk to the other drove me nuts so I put in my papers. It took several years to recover about half of the motion in my wrist. It does not hinder my fishing or shooting. I still hate shuffling paper.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Sep 9 at 2017 1:39 PM

2017-09-09T13:39:30-04:00

I figured 24 years with the Guard was good, plus my feet were starting to bother me( due to an accident 2 yrs, before I went IRR), miss the fun I had while in though.

Response by CPL Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 9 at 2017 4:00 PM

2017-09-09T16:00:37-04:00

because of corrupted politics and all the wrong people getting promoted

Response by Capt Gregory Prickett made Sep 9 at 2017 4:03 PM

2017-09-09T16:03:02-04:00

At eighteen years in, I was no longer having fun, so I sucked it up, did the last two, got my 20-year letter and put in my paperwork. I missed the people, but not the job.

Response by SGT Steve Hines-Saich B.S. M.S. Cybersecurity made Sep 9 at 2017 4:26 PM

2017-09-09T16:26:08-04:00

I ets'd after 10 years. I was fully eligible for promotion after favorable evaluations however my NCOIC did not like that I came out as gay. He created so much red tape going to work was like walking on egg shells. As a mid career Soldier I decided it was time to go. I left service did some contracting work and finished my undergrad degree. I am currently working on my masters and taking care of my family. I feel it was the right choice but I feel very bitter about some aspects of the Army and military profession.

Response by SSG Diane R. made Sep 9 at 2017 5:10 PM

2017-09-09T17:10:55-04:00

I enlisted the day I turned 18 and intended to make the Army a career. In 1988 I left active duty to pursue long overdue medical treatment, serving in the IRR, until recalled to active duty for the first Gulf War. By then I had much of my treatment completed, but they active Army had no idea how to deal with my situation, and perfunctory discharged me back to the IRR once they no longer needed me. I continued in the reserves from 91 until 96 giving me a total of 20 years and five months active and reserve duty. I would reenlist tomorrow if I could.

Response by SSG Dave Weider made Sep 10 at 2017 1:52 AM

2017-09-10T01:52:02-04:00

Thanks for your service. Enjoy the rest.

Response by SSG Steven Mangus made Sep 10 at 2017 10:48 AM

2017-09-10T10:48:49-04:00

I really enjoyed the Army; however, the direction in which the leadership was going created a non-cohesive force all about the individual..

Response by SFC Adam Mathers made Sep 11 at 2017 10:39 AM

2017-09-11T10:39:43-04:00

A whole lot of factors in my case, but they can be best summed up by stating that my final assignment was at the Pentagon.

Response by MSgt John McGowan made Oct 6 at 2017 8:10 AM

2017-10-06T08:10:09-04:00

MSG. I messed up and changed career fields to a even worst one for promotions a couple of years before. Missed my best shot at 17 year mark for E8. Had it all going my way, Branch Chief, passed IG, Branch was humming and looking best it had in years. Met all requirement and made improvements. Go figure. promotions can be a trying time. Was told 3 time in my career I should have been promoted by members on the board. Back in the old days who you knew counted also.

Response by Capt Seavy Barefoot made Oct 24 at 2017 8:19 PM

2017-10-24T20:19:11-04:00

The Air Force is short 1500 pilots as of today, asking for retired pilots to come back. I don't think anything has changed. When you stop after 13 years you know something is wrong. I was lucky enough to survive many combat missions, thanks Lord, and move on. You are and will always be a number, if you think otherwise you have been fooled. Money want change it. I served out of a sense of duty , I learned being the best at your job want get you noticed. They only want missions flown and keep your mouth shut. The most successful aviators I have known in my military career served a term , left and became successful on the civilian market, I am one of them. I hate this post and wished it were different. Capt Seavy Barefoot

Response by CH (CPT) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 7 at 2019 3:28 PM

2019-03-07T15:28:56-05:00

I figured 32 years was a good stretch in uniform. I had a wonderful military career. I traveled and met many friends. I experienced several cultures. I have a scrapbook of memories that I can share with my grand kids.

Response by PO1 John Johnson made Mar 8 at 2019 4:22 PM

2019-03-08T16:22:25-05:00

Blew out my back (discs) so bad, I spent my last year on light duty. It was time.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 8 at 2019 5:06 PM

2019-03-08T17:06:50-05:00

My ex took off with our 2 daughters at the start of Gulf War 1 - Desert Shield/Desert Storm (and I never was allowed to deploy). After Desert Storm wound down I requested to go IRR so I could have time and focus to fight for custody. I naively thought it would take 6-9 months. Nope! 3+ years of fighting through the courts and 4 different lawyers. I won 100% custody and had already passed the end of my contract.

I really wish, some days, I had re-upped but putting a blended family together is not easy. Especially after 3 years of having almost no contact with my daughters.